LeBron James Takes Home Three ESPYS; Adrian Peterson Wins for Best NFL Player and Best Comeback; Serena Williams Wins For Best Female Athlete and Michael Phelps Wins for Best Record-Breaking Performance.

The biggest stars from the worlds of sports and entertainment gathered in downtown Los Angeles at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on Wednesday night to celebrate the best sports stories of the year at The 2013 ESPYS Presented by Capital One, hosted by Jon Hamm.

The Miami Heat were the winners of the night as they were honored as the year’s Best Team for the second consecutive year. LeBron James won for Best Championship Performance, Best NBA Player and Best Male Athlete. This marks the second consecutive year that LeBron James won all three of those awards.

Best Game went to Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the San Antonio Spurs, where Ray Allen forced overtime with a game tying 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds left in regulation. The Heat would outlast the Spurs in overtime on their way to the NBA Championship.

The year that included a number of young standout athletes culminated with Colin Kaepernick taking home the ESPY for Best Breakthrough Athlete. Best NHL Player went to Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins who scored 15 goals and tallied 41 assists during the season.

It came as no surprise that Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers won for Best MLB Player. Michael Phelps collected the award for Best Record-Breaking Performance for setting the all-time record for most Olympic medals with 22. (He also won this award in 2009.)

The Arthur Ashe Courage Award, which recognizes individuals whose contributions transcend sports, was awarded to Robin Roberts. She became known to many across the country as one of the first female sports anchors on ESPN in the 1990s and today she greets viewers as the beloved co-anchor of the country’s leading morning show Good Morning America. Roberts blazed a trail for women in broadcasting, but it is her personal story that has served as an inspiration to countless people as she has overcome life-threatening illness twice. The award, which LeBron James presented to Roberts, honored the strength and courage that Roberts has displayed throughout her career and during her fight against cancer and MDS, a rare blood disorder.

Another special moment in the show was the presentation of the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, in honor of the late Jim Valvano and The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Ben Affleck presented the award to the father-and-son team of Dick and Rick Hoyt, who have participated in over 1,000 endurance events including 31 Boston Marathons. Rick Hoyt, 51, was born with cerebral palsy and is unable to use his hands and legs. His father, 73, pushes him in a custom-made running chair during events including 5K and 10K races, marathons and triathlons.

Other 2013 ESPY winners included Serena Williams (Best Female Athlete and Best Female Tennis Player), Rick Pitino (Best Coach/Manager) and Candace Parker (Best WNBA Player). Floyd Mayweather (Best Fighter) Missy Franklin won Best Female Olympian for winning four Gold Medals at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Usain Bolt won Best International Athlete and Thierry Henry won the ESPY for best MLS Player.

With three wins this year, LeBron James has collected a total of nineESPY Awards over the course of his career. This marks Serena Williams’ eighth ESPY Award. Floyd Mayweather won Best Fighter for the second consecutive year and fifth time in his career.

The ESPYS gather top celebrities from sports and entertainment to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements, reliving unforgettable moments and saluting the leading performers and performances. The 2013 ESPYS marks the shows 21st telecast and will recognize both sport-specific achievements, such as “Best MLB Player” and “Best WNBA Player,” and best-in-sport winners, such as “Best Team” or “Best Female Athlete” that pit nominees from different sports against each other. The ESPYS honor ESPN’s commitment to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a partnership launched with the late Jim Valvano at the inaugural ESPYS in 1993.